# Prepare your Storage and Audio Devices for Nucleus
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###### [[Nucleus Manual]] > _Prepare your Storage and Audio Devices for Nucleus_
## Storage
Roon can watch multiple storage locations for files at the same time. That means you can simultaneously use any (or all) of the following storage locations:
1. **Devices connected directly to Nucleus by USB**<br>
If your music is stored on an external USB drive, plug it into your Nucleus now.
Nucleus supports USB drives pre-formatted as EXT2/3/4, VFAT/FAT32/FAT16/exFAT, NTFS, or HFS/HFS+. <span style='color: #C00000'>Note that HFS/HFS+ (also known as "Mac OS Journaled") is read-only, which means that Nucleus will not be able to make changes or store new music on the USB drive.</span>
2. **A hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) connected inside the Nucleus via SATA**<br>
If you have a 2.5" hard drive you'd like to use as internal storage, [[install it in Nucleus now using these instructions|Nucleus Internal Storage]].
3. **Network shares (such as a NAS)**<br>
For now, just make sure the NAS is turned on and plugged into your network. If you have a username/password for your share, take note of it now. We highly recommend connecting networked storage via ethernet always.
## Audio Devices
Roon can output audio to devices in the following ways:
1. **Devices connected directly to Nucleus by USB**<br>
If you plan to use a DAC, headphone amp, A/V receiver, integrated amplifier, or active speaker system connected directly to Nucleus via USB, connect them to one of the ports on the back panel of the Nucleus and make sure it's powered on.
2. **Devices connected directly to Nucleus by HDMI**<br>
If you have an A/V receiver or other device with an HDMI audio input, you can connect the HDMI output on the back panel of the Nucleus to it. The HDMI output supports both stereo and multi-channel audio content.
3. **Network audio devices**<br>
More and more audio devices of all kinds (active speakers, DACs, integrated amplifiers, and A/V receivers) have networking capabilities. If you have any [[Roon Ready]], AirPlay, Sonos, or [[other supported streaming audio devices|Partner Devices Matrix]], you should check that they are connected to your network (via ethernet or WiFi as appropriate) and powered on. We recommend connecting networked audio devices via ethernet if possible.